Akari bounced back from a mid-match collapse with a clutch fifth-set surge to fend off debuting ZUS Coffee, 26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 17-25, 17-15, in a gritty PVL On Tour showdown Saturday, July 5, night at the Ynares Center in Montalban. The win ended a two-game slide for the Chargers and spoiled the Thunderbelles’ inaugural match with a marathon battle lasting over two hours.

Soltones leads with veteran poise as Soyud delivers late heroics

Seasoned hitter Grethcel Soltones showed her leadership once more, scoring 23 points while anchoring floor defense with 11 excellent digs and nine receptions. Her composure kept Akari steady during crucial stretches, especially in the fifth set where nerves dictated the outcome.

“We lost our patience in Sets 3 and 4, but we regrouped and stayed composed in the fifth,” Soltones said.

Eli Soyud complemented her with 19 points, including eight in the deciding set. Her timely hits proved decisive, giving Akari match point at 14-13 and later helping set up the final winning sequence. Ced Domingo, who chipped in 12 points, delivered the go-ahead point off a sliding attack despite slipping on her takeoff.

A missed attack by Kate Santiago sealed the win after a failed challenge by ZUS Coffee, capping a wild ending to an emotional rollercoaster for both teams.

ZUS Coffee nearly completes reverse sweep in debut

Despite the loss, ZUS Coffee turned heads in its first PVL match. Trailing two sets to none, the Thunderbelles stormed back with dominant third and fourth sets, powered by Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chinnie Arroyo. Gonzaga matched Soltones with 23 points and kept the Thunderbelles afloat during tense rallies, while Arroyo and rookie AC Miner added 17 and 12 markers respectively.

A three-point deficit in the final set was erased through Ortiz’s net defense and Santiago’s timely attacks, but ZUS Coffee fell short when it mattered most. Back-to-back errors in the final moments proved costly, as they missed multiple chances to extend the match.

Akari’s well-balanced attack included nine points from Ivy Lacsina and six each from Chenie Tagaod, Ezra Madrigal, and setter Kamille Cal, who also directed the offense with steady decision-making under pressure.